Disaster Recovery Centers Purpose

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) provide guidance regarding disaster recovery, clarification of any written correspondence received, Housing Assistance and Rental Resource Information, and answer questions. DRCs also provide referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance, status of application being processed by FEMA, and SBA program information when available. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Federal, State, local, and non-governmental organizations all have specific roles in a Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC). They are as follows:

State

• The Division of Emergency Managements Bureau of Recovery will be responsible for managing all ESC operations. The Deputy SERT Chief will coordinate with other state agencies to determine survivor needs.  ESC will be established at sites identified by the county emergency manager director and the Deputy SERT Chief. 
• The Department of Children and Families will provide personnel to provide information related to food stamp replacement and crisis counseling.
• The Agency for Workforce Innovation will provide job placement and training referrals.
• The Department of Elder Affairs will provide case managers to connect elderly to appropriate assistance.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs will provide case managers to provide information on benefits, pensions, insurance settlements and VA mortgages.
• The Division of Emergency Management, Bureau of Mitigation will provide information on the National Flood Insurance Program to mitigate against future losses.  The Divisions Bureau of Recovery will conduct a State Housing Survey to identify present housing needs in the affected area.
• The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will establish mobile facilities to provide replacement drivers licenses, identification cards, motor vehicle tag services, voter registration, organ donation designation and emergency contact registration.
• The Department of Agriculture will provide information about loan programs to assist eligible farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture operators in returning their operation to a financially sound basis in the aftermath of a disaster.
• The Department of Financial Services will provide information about federal and state assistance programs, including insurance awareness.

Federal

• FEMA DRC manager works jointly with the state staff along with supporting the security and safety needs of the DRC.
• FEMA Individual Assistance, Safety, Security, and Logistics work jointly with the DRC Coordinator or designee in confirming and inspecting pre-identified DRC locations and executing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Use Agreement (UA), or other appropriate document with property owner or designee.     
• FEMA Applicant Services will provide assistance in one-on-one registration and address any questions or concern the survivor may have.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) will provide information on Low-interest home, personal property and business loans for restoring or replacing uninsured or underinsured disaster-damaged real and personal property for individuals or businesses.
• FEMA Mitigation will provide information on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and how to mitigate against future losses.
• Tax Assistance will assist with expedited federal or state tax deduction for casualty losses to homes, personal property or household goods.
• Young Lawyers Association will provide free legal services for low-income disaster survivors.
• Social Security Administration will assist in expediting delivery of checks delayed by the disaster and applying for Social Security disability and survivor benefits.

Local Agencies

• The County Department of Health will provide health safety information and water test kits
• Local Utilities will provide information related to restoration of services.
• Local building and permit office will provide information related to building and remodeling projects when permits are necessary
• Local Community Emergency Response Teams will provide support in education for survivors on disaster preparedness within the impacted community

Volunteer Agencies

• Because the State cannot stay at the local level for extended periods of time, Long Term Recovery Organizations often deal with situations such as intake or unmet need identification.
• Faith Based Organizations provide vouchers for clothing, referrals and household items.
• The American Red Cross provide feeding and hydration, flood cleanup materials and gathering information on specific needs of the impacted community
• The Salvation Army will provide food, water, sheltering, clothing, and assistance in replacement of household necessities